It is caused by the bacteria coxielia burnetii, which is found in high concentrations in the tissues of infected animals and can survive in contaminated dust or soil for many months.

Between 2002 and 2012, there were 177 workers compensation claims for Q fever in NSW with costs totaling more than $3.5 million.

Spread of Q fever to humans

People at risk of contracting Q fever include:

abattoir workers

agricultural, farm and dairy workers

stockyard workers

livestock transporters

sheep shearers, wool classers, pelt and hide processors

people exposed to cattle, camels, sheep, goats and kangaroos or their products

veterinary and aboratory personnel, and others who work with veterinary specimens

dog and cat breeders

agricultural college staff and students

wildlife workers and volunteers, and those working outside who may handle animals such as injured fauna

zoo workers involved with high-risk animals

workers involved in rendering

council/road workers who collect dead animals from the roadside

administration and maintenance workers, and contractors who visit the above workplaces.

People usually get infected with Q fever by breathing in aerosols or dust when working with or handling infected animals, animal tissues or animal products. Infected animals often have no symptoms and can shed the bacteria into their urine, faeces or milk.

Q fever is also contracted by:

inhaling dust from infected wool, hides, straw or grass

handling the placenta or birth fluids of infected animals

drinking unpasteurised milk from infected cows and goats

Contaminated work clothing is also a potential source of infection.

Q fever symptoms

Symptoms may be similar to influenza and can include sudden onset of fever, chills, profuse sweating, coughing, severe headaches, muscle pain and fatigue.

If untreated, the illness will typically last one to six weeks, with most patients gaining a life-long immunity to further infection. Occasionally, infection can persist for more than six months and this so-called 'chronic Q fever' can lead to complications such as endocarditis (inflammation of the interior of the heart) and post-Q fever fatigue syndrome . Other complications include inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and infections of the bone (osteitis).

Managing risks

If your workplace is at risk of Q fever, risk control measures must be made available for your workers, contractors and others who may be exposed to the disease.

A vaccine is available to protect people against Q fever and is recommended for all those working in, or intending to work in, a high-risk occupation (unless they have prior immunity).

You must implement a pre-screening and vaccination program, utilise a particular workplace design, and use safe work practices.

Also, to control the risk of transmitting Q fever, ensure that everyone – workers, contractors, visitors, sales representatives, buyers, council workers, essential service workers and members of the public – shows proof of their immunity status before being allowed into your workplace. The risk control measures outlined below must be applied for those who are not immune or, ideally, they should be denied entry to the workplace.

Eligible persons

Ineligible persons

If a worker is not immune to Q fever and either declines or is otherwise ineligible to be vaccinated following medical advice, you should refuse entry to the workplace or provide respiratory protection (P2 respirator) and personal protective clothing (eg overalls/coat and rubber boots). Also, encourage appropriate personal hygiene procedures and only allow access to low-risk Q fever work areas.

Q fever vaccine is not recommended for children under the age of 15 years, nor for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Workplace design

Identify high risk work areas where workers are more likely to be exposed to Q fever, such as:

kill floors

livestock transport vehicles

yards and pens

offal rooms

skin sheds

rendering areas

handling foetal calves (eg slink rooms).

Install appropriate ventilation and dust suppression systems in these areas, to help reduce dust and other airborne particles from spreading. Ventilation systems should have the intake and exhaust vents separated to prevent recirculation of contaminated air. Also, to avoid cross-contamination, provide appropriate washing and changing facilities near these areas.

Safe work practices

To help eliminate or reduce the risk of Q fever transmission, implement the following safe work practices:

Provide necessary information, instruction, training and supervision about Q fever to enable your workers to perform their work in a way that is safe and without risks to health.

Arrange for personal clothing to be stored away from any work clothing that may be contaminated – work clothing should not be taken out of the workplace.